May 21
CYCLONE NARGIS
May 21st, 2008 by dr. charles frederickson · No Comments
Inward tidal surge leaving trail
Of destruction before petering out
Rescue not nearly same magnitude
As killer instinct redeye storm
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Coastline redrawn power lines downed
Zinc roofs torn from girders
Stilted huts toppled trees uprooted
Bloated corpses dumped in rivulets
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Masses risking infectious waterborne diseases
Lethal cholera outbreak diarrheal feces
Ominous darkling clouds hover overhead
Pelting monsoon rains lashing out
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Rice belt knocked for loop
Irrawaddy delta flooded with grief
Current drowned in salty tears
Dead man’s float spilling overflow
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Xenophobic resistance to foreign intervention
Uncivil wrongs begging for mercy
Restless ghosts haunting traumatized psyches
Frail nightfall voices shouting “Help!”
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Casualty figures continue to rise
Unconcerned junta rebuffing outlander support
Star ruby bracelets chopped off
Gold earring lobes stripped clean
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Poetry by: Charles Frederickson & Saknarin Chinayote
